Beer-reclaimer.



J. H. CHAMP.

BEER RBCLIMEB. Y* APPLIOATION FILED M125; isha.

973,757.. Patented oca 25,1910.;

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J.' H. CHAMP.

. BEER BBGLAIMEB..

APPLICATION FILED IAB.. 25, 1908.

Patented Oct. 25', 1910.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

JOSEPH H. CHAMP, F CLEVELANH, OHIQ BEER-RECLAIMER.

` from other inventions.

The present invention relates to liquid packaging apparatus and isparticularly designed for use in connection with machines for bottlingbeer or other live, or carbonated, liquids.

The object of the present apparatus is to provide means for re-claimingthe contents of bottles that become broken, or that, by reason ofoveriiowing or improper filling, cannot properly be corked or otherwiseclosed for use.

To the accomplishment of this and related ends said invention thenconsists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure l is a side elevation, with partsbroken away and shown in section, of a reclaiming apparatus embodying myseveral improvements; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of athreeway cock in open posit-ion forming a feature of such apparatus;vFigs. 3, 4, and 5 are transverse sectional views of such cock in likeopen position taken on lines 3 3, 4 4 and 5 5, respectively, of Fig. 2;Fig. 6 is a transverse view corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing thecockin closed position, but differing from Fig. 2 in the optionalomission of a cap; and Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are transverse views of the samein like closed position, taken on the lines 7 7, 8 8 and 9 9', Fig. 6.

Inasmuch as it is immaterial what particular type of bottling machine beemployed the only parts of such machine illustrated here with are thetop air inlet C and liquid inlet C" thereto. These are both connectedwith the filling tank `of the machine and respectively with a supply ofcompressed air and Specification of Letters Patent. A Patented Oct. 25,1910. Application med March 25, 190s.

Serial No. 423,110.

tion with which it is designed that itshould be employed. In form it isconveniently of the upright cylindrical shape shown, and, that the levelof its liquid contents may be more readily observed, a sight glass A ofusual construction is desirably adjoined thereto. A'Receptacle A isprovided with a cover A2 that in turn supports a funnel A3, removablyseated in a cap or head A4 that surmonnts cover A2. Cover A2 ispreferably secured to rece )tacle A by means of winged nuts a,permitting it to be detached if found necessary to gain access to theinterior of the receptacle. In conjunction with this cover and head areprovided the several operative parts of the apparatus presently to bemore particularly described. The construction, however, of the funnelmay be first noted. This, as stated, is removably seated in the head A4and is preferably of a general cylindrical form termi nating in aconical bottom as shown. Resting on a ledge a formed at the junction ofsuch conical bottom with the cylindrical body is loosely mounted astrainer a. adapte ed to intercept broken glass and other foreignsubstances that might interfere with the work of the operative parts ofthe device, or the carrying of which over to the filling machine wouldoccasion trouble there; a knob a2 centrally attached to such strainerfacilitates removal of the same. A second strainer a3 supported belowsuch strainer a adds still further security against the passage throughthe funnel of substances of the kind noted.

Connected with head A4 are ducts c c respectively leading to the air andliquid inlets C C of the bottling machine, the usual fixtures c2 c3being provided in connection with'such inlets for attachment of theducts thereto, and valves, or cocks c4 c5, being interposed whereb7connection may be cut oil if desired.

Connection between receptacle A and funnel A3, forming the source fromwhich liquid is supplied to the receptacle, as also connection betweensuch receptacle and the two ducts c o leading to the air and liquidinlets of the bottling machine, are all controlled by a valve plug orthree-way cock A", the particular construction of which is fullyexhibited in Figs. 2 to 9, inclusive. In the normal open position ofthis valve or cock as illustrated in Figs. 2 to inclusive, it will beseen that a central passage or opening al in the head is freelyconnected with funnel A3 by means of an opening @15 in the valve plug,so that any liquid poured into such funnel will readily find its wayinto the interior of the receptacle. The upper portion of this openinga7 is purposely enlarged to receive and suitably support the funnel, seeFig. l. At the same time that passage al is thus opened a vent passageals is turned so as to communicate with av passage of in the head. Thispassage als opens at the end of the valve plug directly into theexternal atmosphere and may be provided, if desired, with means as a`perforated cap al, Fig. 2, for regulating the rate of escape of airtherethrough, as such air is forced out of the receptacle by theentrance of liquid through the funnel and opening' al in the head, andfor mufliing the noise when the air pressure is relieved. Fig.illustrates the valve without such up, it being optional whicharrangement be employed. Two other sets of openings as a in the head,communicating respectively with the two ducts c c, are on the contraryclosed in the position of the cock to which reference has j ust beenmade. Of such openings as c it should be noted that a tube L10 is fittedinto the one N that is connected with the duct c leading to the liquidinlet of the bottling machine, such tube depending downwardly to nearthe bottom of the receptacle A. The lower end of this tube is providedwith a casing all, Fig. l, the opening al? of which is directed upwardlyand is formed to provide a valve seatfor a ball valve 0514. Completedislodgment of such valve is prevented by means of a cage alla, which byconstraining movement of the valve to a vertical line always insures itsproper reseating. This ball valve a is made of a specific gravity suchthat the liquid with which the machine is being used will suliice tolift it oftz the seat of the casing until the level of such liquid sinksbelow the level in the casing.

In the closed position of the three-way cock A5, the condition as to theseveral openings therein is reversed from that just described above, asis indicated in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive. In other words, the centralopening er leading from the funnel is now closed by reason of rotationof the valve plug, as is also vent passage als; at the same time theopenings as a in the head that conneet respectively with the air andliquid inlets of the filling machine are opened, the former by thealinement therewith of passage a in the valve plug, the latter byalinement therewith of passage 15 in such plug, a branch a of thelast-named passage simultaneously communicating with the lower sectionof passage al. The air pressure thus admitted into the upper portion ofthe receptacle A will obviously be effective to force any liquidcontained in such receptacle outthrough the tube uw and duct c andthence into the liquid inlet C of the bottling machine until the levelof the liquid in the receptacle sinks, as before indicated, to a pointwhere ball valve a automatically closes off the discharge.

The ope "ation of the apparatus should be readily apparent from theforegoing description of its structure, since in such structuraldescription certain details of the operation have of necessity beenintroduced. By way, then, of brief summary it will be seen that with thethree-way cock in its open posit-ion the waste from the filling machinearising from broken bottles, and like sources, is poured from time totime in the funnel A until the liquid accumulating in the receptacle Ais seen from sight glass A to nearly till such receptacle. ln order toempty the receptacle, three-way cock A is thereupon given a quarter turnto its closed position with the etl'ect already noted.

By the foregoing` apparatus very simple and convenient provision is madefor the salvage of much liquid that would otherwise go to waste inconnection with bottling machines in practical operation; this is truein the automatically operating type of bottling machine in which thereis apt to be, especially when in charge of unskilled or carelessoperators, a larger percentage of breakage and improper filling of thebottles, than where the machine-is under direct manual control.

The operation of the reclaiming apparatus is very simple, as has beenexplained, and involves no further attention than the occasional turningof the controlling valve or three-way cock, since even in the emptyingof the receptacle provision is made against derangement of the fillingapparatus by admission of air into the liquid inlet.

It will be evident that other uses, than that above described in orderto illustrate the manner of operation of my reclaiming apparatus, mightbe suggested. Concerning these other uses it will, however, suffice tosay that the terms top air inlet and liquid inlet, herein referred to asparts of a bottling machine, are to be understood as connotingequivalent parts of any machine or apparatus in connection with which myreclaiming apparatus may find employment. Particularly it should benoted that compressed air for the operation of the reclaiming apparatusmay be derived from any source of pressure supply.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my inventionl. The combination With the top air inlet and liquid inlet of a bottlingmachine; of reclaiming apparatus comprising a receptacle having anexteriorly opening liquid inlet and an air vent, and a fluid pressureinlet and liquid outlet respectively connected with the top air inletand the liquid inlet of said machine; and means adapted tosimultaneously control the inlets, outlet, and vent of said reclaimingapparatus.

2. The combination with the top air inlet and liquid inlet of a bottlingmachine; of reclaiming apparatus comprising a receptacle having aneXteriorly opening liquid inlet and an air vent, and a iiuid pressureinlet and liquid outlet respectively connected with the top air inletand the liquid inlet of said machine; and a cock controlling the inlets,outlet, and vent, respectively, of said reclaiming apparatus, said cockbeing adapted to simultaneously open the liquid inlet and vent and closethe fluid pressure inlet and liquid outlet of said apparatus, and viceversa.

3. The combination ivith the top air inlet and liquid inlet of abottling machine; of reclaiming apparatus comprising a receptacle; ahead surmounting said receptacle and having an eXteriorly opening liquidinlet, and a fluid pressure inlet and liquid outlet respectivelyconnected with the top air Ainlet and the liquid inlet of said machine;

a funnel, provided with a strainer, removably fitted to the exterioropening of the liquid inlet of said head; and a cock controlling theinlets and the outlet, respectively, of said head, said cock beingadapted to simultaneously open the liquid inlet and close the fluidpressure inlet and liquid out let of said ap aratus, and vice versa.

4. The combination with the top air inlet and liquid inlet of a bottlingmachine; of reclaiming apparatus comprising a receptacle; a headsurmounting said receptacle and having an exteriorly opening liquidinlet, a fluid pressure inlet and alined outlet passage, such fluidpressure inlet and liquid outlet being respectively connected With thetop air inlet and the liquid inlet of said machine; a tube connectedWith such outlet passage and depending to near the bottom of saidreceptacle; a funnel, provided With a strainer, removably fitted to theexterior opening of the liquid inlet of said head; manually operablemeans adapted to control the inlets and the outlet to said head,

respectively; and other means adapted automatically to control saidoutlet.

5. The combination With the top air inlet and liquid inlet of a bottlingmachine; of reclaiming apparatus comprising a receptacle; a headsurmounting said receptacle and having an eXteriorly opening liquidinlet, a fluid pressure inlet and a liquid outlet passage, such fluidpressure inlet and liquid outlet beingrespectively connected with thetop air inlet and the liquid inlet of said machine; a tube connectedwith such outlet passage and depending to near the bottom of saidreceptacle; a funnel, provided with a strainer, removably tted to theexterior opening of the liquid inlet of said head; a cock controllingthe inlets and the outlet, respectively, of said reclaiming apparatus,said cock being adapted to simultaneously open the liquid inlet andclose the fluid pressure inlet and liquid outlet of said head, and viceversa, a cage inclosing the lower end of said depending tube; and a ballvalve Within said cage adapted to close such opening, the liquid in saidreceptacle serving to normally raise said valve from its seat.

Signed by me this 21st day of March, 1908.

JOSEPH H. CHAMP. Attested by- E. R. RoDD,

JNO. F. OBERLIN.

